Farmers dig pit to trap elephant, hold state govt responsible for inaction

HASSAN: Fed up of constant raids by wild elephants into farm lands and the inaction of the authorities in finding a lasting solution, farmers and coffee planters have dug a huge pit (khedda) measuring 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep in Hosakoppalu village in Sakleshpur taluk.

The massive pit has been covered with wooden poles, plastic sheets and leaves and twigs on land belonging to one Amrit, to trap an elephant. The villagers say if an elephant falls into the pit, the government itself will be responsible and it has not taken any action so far.

Elephants come in search of food and raid paddy fields and coffee estates. Farmers have complained of heavy losses due to damaged crops and had requested the authorities concerned to find a permanent solution, but that has eluded them so far, forcing them to resort to such measures.